Dear Alderperson [their name],
My name is [your first and last name], and I am a Ward [x] resident residing at [your address]. I am writing to share my strongest support for Alderperson Lawson's ordinance to support the legalization of Accessory Dwelling Units citywide. As my elected official, I urge you to vote in favor of this ordinance.
Legalizing ADUs citywide will expand housing options, leading to numerous benefits that are well-documented in other parts of the United States and Chicago is just beginning to know. These include offering lower income renters more options, allowing older residents to age in place and supporting multi-generational households, offering additional income streams through rent to prevent the displacement of low-income homeowners and retirees on fixed-incomes, providing gentle density in existing neighborhoods without impacting its appearance, and reducing demand for sprawling, greenfield development. New construction ADUs are also highly efficient and often all-electric, leveraging clean technologies such as heat pumps and induction ranges.
Removing barriers to the permitting of ADUs is one of the well-researched solutions to remove barriers to ADU construction and facilitate greater ADU uptake overall for low- and moderate-income BIPOC households. This is a powerful chance for Chicago to demonstrate leadership on housing that we should not miss.
I have been a proud resident of Ward [x], given its vibrant and diverse community, abundance of housing options and myriad of public transit options. I hope you vote in favor of ADUs, so that our Ward can benefit from this additional housing option in our neighborhoods.
Yours sincerely, [your name]